



\be(?^M TRlKVl 




LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



DOOaOEBSbbH ff 



LIBERTY PRIMER. 




GIVING THE DATES OF THE ANNIVERSARIES COMMEMORATED BY 
THE RINGING OF 

THE COLUMBIAN LIBERTY BELL 

COMPILED BY 

WILLIAM O. MCDOWELL, NEWARK, N. J., 

CH MR.MAN OF THE COLUMBIAN LIBHKTY BELL COMMITTEE, 

WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF 

JOHN CLARK RIDPATH, HEZEKIAH BUTTERWORTH, 

HENRY BALDWIN, LOULIE M. GORDON, 

WILLIAM SALTER. 

SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ANNIVERSARIES TO BE COMMEMORATED BY THE 
RINGING OF THE BELL. 

JA7<(UARY, FHBRUARY, MARCH. 



" When a deed is done for freedom, through the broad earth's aching breast 
Runs a thrill of joy prophetic, trembling on from east to west. 
• * * 

For mankind are one in spirit, and an instinct bears along 
Round the earth's electric circle, the swift flash of right or wrong; 
Whetlier conscious or unconscious, yet humanity's va,-,t frame. 
Through its ocean-sundered fibres, feels the gush of joy or shame; 
In the gain or loss of one race all the rest have equal claim." — Lowell. 



PRICE 25 CENTS 



Copyright 1894, by 
William O. McDowell, Chairman. 






I 



LIBERTY'S BELL. 

BY 3IES. MADGE MOKEIS WAGNEK, SAN DIEGO, CAL. 

" There 's a legend told of a far-off laud "— 
The land of a king — where the people planned 
To build them a bell that never should ring 
But to tell of the death or the birth of a king, 
Or proclaim an event, with its swinging slow. 
That could startle the nation to joy or woe. 
It was not to be builded— this bell that they planned — 
Of common ore dug from the breast of the land, 
But of metal first moulded by skill of all arts- 
Built of the treasures of fond human hearts. 
And from all o'er the land like pilgrims they came, 
Each to cast in a burden, a mite in the flame 
Of the furnace — ^his offering — to mingle and swell 
In the curious mass of this wonderful bell. 

Knights came in armor and flung in the shields 

That had warded off blows on the Saracen fields, 

Freemen brought chains from prisons afar — 

Bonds that had fettered the captives of war. 

And sabers were cast in the molten flood 

Stained with the crimson of heroes' blood. 

Pledges of love, a bracelet, a ring, 

A gem that had gleamed in the crown of a king, 

The coins that had ransomed a maiden from death. 

The words, hot with eloquence, caught from the breath 

Of a sage, and a prayer from the lips of a slave 

Were heard and recorded, and cast in the wave 

To be melted and moulded together, and tell 

The tale of their wrongs in the tones of the bell. 

It was finished at last, and, by artisan hand, 

On its ponderous beams hung high over the land. 

The slow years passed by ; but no sound ever fell 

On a listening ear from the tongue of the bell. 

The brown spider wove her frail home on its walls, 

And the dust settled deep in its cavernous halls. 

Men laughed in derision, and scoffed at the pains 

Of the builders ; and harder and harder the chains 

Of a tyrannous might on the people were laid ; 

More insatiate, more servile, the tribute they paid. 

There was something they found tar more cruel than death 

And something far sweeter than life's fleeting breath. 



But, hark ! in the midst of the turbvilent throug, 

The moans of the weak and the groans of the strong, 

There 's a cry of alarm. Some invisible power 

Is moving the long silent bell in the tower. 

Forward and backward, and forward it swung, 

And Liberty ! Liberty ! Liberty ! rung 

From its wide, brazen throat, over mountain and vale, 

Till the seas caught the echo, and monarchs turned pale. 

Our forefathers heard it — that wild thrilling tone. 

Ringing out to the world, and they claimed it their own. 

And up from the valley, and down from the hill. 

From the flame of the forge, from the field and the mill 

They paid with their lives the price of its due, 

And left it a legacy, freemen, to you, 

And ever when danger is menacing nigh. 

The mighty bell swings in the belfry on high, 

And men wake from their dreams, and grasp in atfright 

Their swords, when its warning sweeps out in the night. 

It rang in wild psean o'er war's gory waves 

When the gyves were unloosed from our millions of slaves ; 

It started'with horror and trembled a knell 

From ocean to ocean, when brave Lincoln fell. 

And again its wild notes sent a thrill through the land 

When Garfield was struck by a traitorous hand. 

And once in each year as time onward rolls. 

Slowly and mullled and mournful it tolls 

A dirge, while Columbia pauses to spread 

A tribute of love on the graves of her dead. 

While Washington's name is emblazoned in gold, 
While the valor of Putman, or Campbell is told, 
While patriots treasure the words of a Hayne, 
The fiery drops from the pen of a Paine ; 
While dear is the name of child, mother or vdfe. 
Or sweet to a soul is the measure of life, 
America's sons will to battle prepare 
When its tones of alarm ring aloud on the air ; 
For Liberty's goddess holds in her white hand 
The cord of the bell that swings over our land. 



LIBERTY PRIMER. 



The Great Columbian Liberty and Peace Bell has four duties : 

First — Ringing on the anniversaries of the birth of the creators of 

liberty, nine a.m., the signal being three strokes to call attention ; 

then seven strokes, this being the number of letters in the word 

"liberty," rung at intervals of ten seconds. 

Second — At ten a.m., in the spirit of prophecy. This is a very rare 
ceremony. The first time the Great Bell rang in prophecy was on 
October 11th, 1893, at the hour when the World's Parliament of Religions 
assembled in the Art Institute, Chicago, on which occasion, besides the 
signal of three strokes to call attention, one stroke was given for each of 
the religions represented in the Congress. 

Third — At twelve noon, on the anniversaries of the great liberty 
events in the world's history. The signal at this hour is in two forms. 
Fii'st, the "liberty signal," which consists of three quick strokes to call 
attention. Then thirteen strokes, the number of the colonies that 
created the United States, rung at intervals of ten seconds. 

The second and "great liberty signal" consists of three strokes 
quickly given to call attention, and then one stroke recorded for each of 
the States and Territories in the United States, including the District of 
Columbia and Alaska, closing with five strokes for the other nations, all 
at intervals of ten seconds. 

The great signal is made use of on the Fourth of July and also in 
foreign countries when the bell on their soil commemorates the event 
that comes nearest to being to their people what the Fourth of July is to 
the citizens of the United States. When the great signal is given ou 
foreign soil, the number of strokes is based upon some fact in connection 
with that nation's history. As an illustration, when the great signal was 
rung at the Columbian Exhibition on the occasion of celebrating Mexican 
Day, the number of strokes given was fixed by the number of states and 
territories in the Mexican Republic. 

Fourth — In protest when some backward step is taken by the 
representatives of republican institutions. The ringing in protest is 
always at midnight and consists of a tocsin or rapid ringing in alarm. 
The bell has never, up to this date, rung in jirotest. 



6 LIBEKTY PRIMER 

INSTRUCTIONS. 

The Columbian Liberty Bell Committee have had a quantity of 
small Souvenir Liberty Bells made from the surplus historic metal saved 
in casting the great bell. 

The Souvenir Bells are handsomely mounted on a bronze frame and 
standards similar to the hanging of a regular church bell. Each Sou- 
venir Bell has the three texts engraved upon it, copied from the Colum- 
bian Liberty Bell : 

I. 

"Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants 
thereof," (Lev. xxv. 10,) as appears upon the Independence or "Old 
Liberty Bell." 

II. 

' * Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will toward 
men," fLuke ii. 14,) as appears on the Centennial Bell of 1876, Inde- 
pendence Hall, Philadelphia. 

III. 

"A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another," 
(John xiii. 34,) adopted as the special text of the Columbian Liberty 
Bell. 

These little bells are especially intended for schools, and ' ' Liberty 
Primer" is to accompany them and give the dates and hour when the 
great bell rings, that every celebration around the great bell may be 
repeated at the same hour in the schools throughout the world. 

The Souvenir bell should be placed on brackets in the most conspic- 
uous place in the school or assembly room, at a height enabling scholars 
to conveniently reach the cord with which the bell is to be rung. 

It is suggested that the bell be surmounted by a canopy formed of 
the National Flag crossed and entwined with the beautiful Peace Flag, 
which consists of a National Flag entirely surrounded by a Ijorder of 
white one-third the width of the flag used for this purpose. The same 
arrangement of the white border around the flag of any nation forms its 
own appropriate Liberty and Peace Flag. 

If the celebration is to occur at nine o'clock. ( immediately after the 
school is in order, ) the teacher will announce from Liberty Primer the 
anniversary and why it is celebrated, and then selecting one of the 
scholars, in recognition of some manly or womanly act of patriotism, 
generosity or nobility of character, after explaining to the scholars why 
this honor is conferred, will direct such scholar to ring the bell. 

The three strokes calling attention can be replaced with a rapid 
ringing of the little bell. Then the teacher can wait a half minute, and 
at intervals of ten seconds have the bell rung, the ringing to take the place 
of the stroke upon the great bell. The hours for ringing the great bell in 



LIBERTY PRIMER 7 

commemoration of events, have been fixed at nine and twelve for the 
convenience of schools, the first being the hour of assembling, and the 
second the noon hour. This last can take place just previous to the 
hour of twelve, so that it shall not interfere with the dismissal. 

These celebrations can also be made the occasion of securing a visit 
from parents, which is exceedingly desirable. 

The Committee in charge are desirous of placing one of these bells 
and Primer in every school house in the world, and we would urge that 
in the United States on February 22d and July 4th, a public celebration 
be had at every school house around the school house liberty pole bearing 
the star spangled banner, that your Souvenir Liberty Bell be made 
use of, and that a thank offering for Liberty be made and sent to this 
Committee to be used to present Souvenir Bells and Liberty Primers to 
schools in all parts of the world. Every school or patriotic society con- 
tributing $15 wlU receive a present of a Souvenir Liberty Bell and 
Liberty Primer. 




LIBERTY PRIMER 9 

HISTORICAL 

The Columbian Liberty Bell is the first deliberately created Liberty 
Bell as a Liberty Bell to ring only on the anniversaries of Liberty Events 
in the history of the world. Over 22,000 different contributions of 
metal identified with efforts for Liberty or with the lives of the ' ' Creators 
of Liberty," enter into its composition. Over 250,000 pennies were sent 
in. The bell was the central feature of the Fourth of July celebration 
at the World's Columbian Exposition, being rung for the first time 
jointly that day, by telegraphic wire, by Mrs. Madge Morris Wagner, 
of San Diego, California, the authoress of the poem (printed with this) 
which crystallized the thought, in the mind of the originator of the 
bell, that led to its creation, and Miss Minnie F. Michley, of Penn- 
sjdvania. Secretary of the Committee. 

In the next issue of Liberty Primer, giving April, May and June, a 
more full and detailed historical sketch will be given. 



January 1st, 1735. Paul Revere born at Boston, Mass. 

In 1756 he was a Lieutenant of Artillery stationed at Lake George. 
He took part in the expedition to Crown Point. 

He learned the art of copper plate engraving, and in 1795, engraved 
the paper money issued by the Legislature of Massachusetts. 

He was one of those who took part in the "Boston Tea party," 
December 16th, 1773. On the night of the 18th of April, 1775, learning 
that the British troops were to advance for the purpose of seizing the 
military stores at Concord, he set out at cnce on horseback and warned 
the jjeople as far as Lexington of the danger, and prepared them for the 
battle at Lexington on the next day. Before the evacuation of Boston a 
regiment of artillery was formed of which he was Lieutenant Colonel. 
He took part in the Penobscot Expedition. After the war he resumed 
business at Boston. In 1795 as Grand Master of the Free-Masons of 
Massachusetts he laid the corner-stone of the new State House at Boston. 
He died at Boston, May 10th, 1818. 

' ' The spark struck out by that steed in his flight 
Kindled the land into flame with its heat." — Longfellow. 

January 1st, 1745. Gen. Anthony Wayne born at East Town, Chester Co., Pa. 
Mad Anthony Wayne. At the age of 16 he went out into the world. 
In September, 1765, he was Colonel of a regiment of Volunteers, and in 
1776 his regiment was accepted by Congress. He was Brigadier General 
on February 21st, 1777. In command at Ticonderoga from November, 
1776 to May, 1777. Brevet Major General, October 10th, 1783. Nomin- 
ated Commander-in-Chief by Washington, April 13th, 1792. He died 
from an attack of gout at the garrison Presque Isle (Erie), December 6th, 
1796. 



10 LIBERTY PRIMER 

His remains lie in the grave yard of Old St. David's at Radnor, back 
of the Church, vrhere there is a white marl^le monument, discolored by 
time and exposure, erected to his memory, which was placed there by the 
Pennsylvania Society of the Cincinnati. 

January 1st, 1808. Importation of Slaves into the United States prohibited. 

January 1st, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation of President Abraham 
Lincoln became operative. It was issued September 22d, 1862. 

' ' This proclamation marks a great epoch in the progress of universal 
freedom." 

"Our fathers brought forth upon this continent a new nation, con- 
ceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created 
equal. ' ' 

January 2d, 1788. Georgia ratified the Constitution. 

The Empire State of the South. One of the original thirteen States, 
named in honor of George II. 

January 3d, 1777. The Battle of Princeton, N. J. 

"Washington in going from Trenton to Princeton encountered 
three regiments of British, under Colonel Mawhood, who were on their 
way to join Lord Cornwallis. The British were forced to retreat. Wash- 
ington continued on to Princeton, where one regiment had been left, and 
took 300 prisoners, 6 brass field pieces, a quantity of ammunition, and 
several wagons of baggage. The British loss was about 100 killed. The 
American loss is stated at 40 killed, among whom were Brig. -Gen. Hugh 
Mercer, Col. Hazlet, and Captains Shippen and Neal. 

January 3d, 1793. Lucretia Mott born at Nantucket Island, Mass. 

At the age of eleven she went to Boston. In 1817 she was a teacher 
of a small school, and in 1827 became conspicuous for her eloquence in 
Quaker meetings. She associated with the Hicksites on the division of 
the Quakers. She made several preaching tours through New England 
and the Middle States advocating peace principles and the abolition of 
Slavery. She was prominent in the organization of the American Anti- 
Slavery Society in 1833, and in 1840 went to England as a delegate to 
the World's Anti-Slavery Convention, but was not admitted to its 
deliberations. Eeturuing to the United States she became interested in 
improving the condition of women, in the woman's suffrage movement and 
in behalf of the Women's Medical College at Philadelphia. She died at 
Philadelphia, November 11th, 1880. 

"The woman apostle of peace, and the inspirer of the first peace 
movement in America." " Truth for authority, not authority for 
truth." 



LIBERTY PRIMEK 11 

January 6th, 1811. Charles Sumner born at Boston, Mass. 

Graduated at Harvard 1830, studied law with Judge Story. 
Admitted to the Bar, Editor of the American Jurist, Lecturer at Harvard 
Law School, after which he spent) three years in Europe studying. On 
returning began the practice of law, but soon drifted into politics. In 
1851 he was elected United States Senator from Massachusetts and 
reelected until his death. He died at Washington, March 11th, 1874. 

"Sumner held that the national boundaries of the Union were so 
fixed that no state could escape from them by secession, that a state's 
secession was merely an abandonment of statehood, so that it fell bacjf, 
into the condition of a Territory and came under the absolute govern- 
ment of Congress." "His speech entitled 'The True Grandeur of 
Nations, ' was pronounced to be the most noble contribution made by a 
modern writer to the cause of peace. " " True politics are sitniily morals 
applied to public affairs. ' ' 

January 7th, 1718. Israel Putnam born at Salem, Mass. 

He had but a moderate education. His family moved to Pomfret, 
Conn., in 1739, where he became a fai'mer. He in 1755 commanded a 
company from Connecticut and served through the French War. On 
peace being secured he returned to his farm. He was ploughing in the 
field when news was brought of the Battle of Lexington. Without 
changing his clothing he at once started for Cambridge. He came back 
from there, raised a regiment and brought them into camp. With 
Prescott he commanded at Bunker Hill. He was made Major General, 
and he was at Cambridge placed by Washington in command of the 
reserve. In 1776 he was sent to command the fortifications of New 
York, and then sent to fortify Philadelphia. In the winter of 1777 he 
was at Princeton, and in the spring appointed to the command in the 
Highlands, where he remained until 1779, when he was disabled by a 
stroke of paralysis. He died at Brookline, Conn., May 19th, 1790. "He 
was brave, energetic, and one of the most efficient officers of the Revo- 
lution. ' ' 



January 8th, 1815. The Battle of New Orleans, La. 

Sir Edward Packenham attacked the city of New Orleans with a 
force of British regulars, stated to have been about 10,000. Gen. Jackson, 
with an army of 6,000 volunteers and backwoodsmen, successfully 
defended the city. The British force was dreadfully cut to pieces, their 
loss of killed, wounded and captured amounting to about 2,600, includ- 
ing Gen. Packenham, who was killed. The American loss was 7 killed 
and 6 wounded. (Another account says 8 killed and 14 wounded.) 

" History records no example of so glorious a victory obtained with 
so little bloodshed on the part of the victorious. " — James Munroe^s dis- 
patch at the time. 



12 LIBERTY PRIMER 

January 9th, 1788. Connecticut ratified the Constitution. 

Called the Freestone, Nutmeg, or Wooden Nutmeg State. The 
" Land of Steady Habits," One of the original thirteen States. 

January 10th, 1739. Ethan Alien born at Litchfield, Conn. 

He moved to Bennington, Vt., about 1763. New York claimed 
jurisdiction over the Green Mountain Territory and so did New Hamp- 
shire. The King decided in favor of New York. Allen went to Albany 
and plead in favor of the New Hampshire settlers, but the case went 
against them. Allen was made the colonel of the ''Green Mountain 
Boys, ' ' and the New York settlers were driven out. Governor Tryon 
offered £150 for the capture of Allen and £50 for each of the other 
leaders. 

Hearing of the fight at Lexington, and knowing the situation of 
Ticonderoga, he marched for that fort. Benedict Arnold, who had been 
commissioned colonel by Massachusetts, also sought to reach it. Allen 
reached Lake George first. On the 10th of May, 1775, with but 83 men, 
he crossed the lake and reached the fort ; rushing in, he summoned the 
astonished commander to surrender "In the name of the Great Jehovah 
and the Continental Congress." He received the thanks of Congress. 
He was sent to Canada to learn the views of the Canadians, but he joined 
Montgomery in his expedition against Montreal, and he and his band were 
captured on September 25th. He was sent a prisoner to England, but 
soon returned, to be confined in jails and prison ships. He was 
exchanged May 8th, 1778. After the Eevolution he lived in retirement. 

He died at Burlington, Vt., February 13th, 1789. (At Colchester, 
another account says.) " General Allen possessed strong powers of mind, 
but they never felt the influence of education. He was brave, humane, 
and generous. " " As an expression of his patriotism and military talents, 
he was appointed to the command of the State militia. It does not 
appear, however, that his intrepidity was ever again brought to the test, 
though his patriotism was tried by an unsuccessful attempt of the British 
to bribe him to attempt a union of Vermont with Canada." 

January 11th, 1757. Birth of Alexander Hamilton, on the Island of Nevis, 
W. I. 

Killed in a duel with Aaron Burr, dying in New York July 12th, 
1804. 

" He smote the rock of the national resources, and abundant streams 
of revenue gushed forth. He touched the dead corpse of public credit, 
and it sprang upon its feet." — Webster. 

January 12th, 1729. Edmund Burke born in Ireland. 

His father was a Protestant, his mother was a Catholic. He gradu- 
ated at Trinity College in 1748. and went to London in 1750. He was at 
one time the ijrivate secretary of William Gerard Hamilton during his 



LIBERTY PRIMER 13 

term in Ireland as Secretary, and afterwards of the Marquis of Rocking- 
ham when he became Prime Minister. He was elected to the House 
of Commons first from Wendover, thsn from Bristol and afterwards from 
Malton. In 1794 he retired from Parliament with a pension, stated by 
one writer to have been <£1,500, and by another £2,500, which was 
bestowed by government on account of his valuable services. He died 
July 8th, 1797. 

"In private life Burke was amiable and benevolent, in public life 
indefatigable, ardent and abhorrent of meanness and injustice. It was 
this latter quality which rendered him a persevering advocate of the 
Irish Catholic. As an orator he ranked among the first of modern 
times ; and as a writer, whether we consider the splendor of his diction, 
the richness and variety of his imageiy or the boundless stores of knowl- 
edge which he displayed, it must be acknowledged that there are few his 
equal and none who transcend him. * * * No one ever lived and 
used the general ideas of the thinker more successfully to judge particu- 
lar problems of the statesman. No one has ever come so close to the 
details of practical politics, and at the same time remembered that these 
can only be understood and only dealt with by the aid of the broad con- 
ceptions of political philosophy. And what is more than all for perpetu- 
ity of fame, he was one of the great masters of the high and difficult art 
of elaborate composition." " The most consummate orator of modern 
times, friend of the Thirteen Colonies in their struggle for liberty." 

January 12th, 1737. Birth of John Hancock, at Quincy, Mass. 

Elected in 1766 to the General Assembly of the Province of Massa- 
chusetts, and became the President of that body. 

Elected to Congress, which met at Philadelphia in May, 1775, where 
he succeeded Peyton Randolph as President. He returned home in 
October, 1777. First Governor of Massachusetts, and was annually 
reelected until 1785, when he resigned. In 1787 again elected Governor, 
and he retained the office until his death. 

"There are few lives, either ancient or modern, that aiford, of disin- 
terested generosity, more frequent and illustrious examples. * * From 
his private benevolence, a thousand families received their daily bread ; 
and there is perhaps no individual in history, who has expended a more 
amj)le fortune in promoting the liberties of his country." — Biographia 
Americana. 

He died at Boston, October 8th, 1793. 

January 12th, 1745. Henry Pestalozzi born at Zurich, Switzerland. 

He died February 17th, 1827. 

"He held that education stood for character as well as for the 
acquirement of knowledge ; Froebel (Friedrich Wilhelm August) founder 
of the Kindergarten was his friend, and Horace Mann the founder of the 
/American Common School System, was a disciple of his work." 



14 LIBERTY PRIMER 

January 13th, 1808. Salmon P. Chase born in New Hampshire. 

Graduated at Dartmoutli College 1826. Taught school in Washing- 
ton, admitted to the Bar in 1830. Solicitor at Cincinnati for the United 
States Bank in 1834. He became noted for his opposition to slavery, the 
fugitive slave law, and the acts of 1793 and 1787. In February, 1849 he 
was Senator from Ohio, and in 1855 elected Governor, reelected in 1857. 
On the election of Mr. Lincoln he was appointed Secretary of the Treasury 
which he held until June 30th, 1864. On the death of Roger B. Taney 
he was appointed Chief Justice of the United States in October, 1864. 
He was stricken with a paralytic stroke in 1870 from the eifects of which 
he never recovered. He died in New York City, May 7th, 1873. 

January 17th, 1706. Birth of Benjamin Frank/in, the son of Jonas Fran/din, 
a tallow-chandler, and of Abiah Folger, a daughter of Peter Folger, the 
poet, at Boston. 

He died at Philadelphia, April 17th, 1790. 

" At his death, in 1790, he was sijoken of by two great French- 
men, Mirabeau and Turgot, as the ' sage whom two worlds claim as 
their own, ' and as having ' snatched the lightning from the skies, and 
the scepter from tyrants. ' ' ' 

Franklin's Moral Code : 

Silence. — Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself ; avoid 
trifling conversation. 

Order. — Let all your things have their places ; let each part of your 
business have its time. 

Resolution. — Resolve to perform what you ought ; perform with- 
out fail what you resolve. 

Industry. — Lose no time; be always employed in something use- 
ful, but avoid all unnecessary actions. 

Sincerity. — Use no hurtful deceit ; think innocently and justly ; 
and, if you speak, speak accordingly. 

Justice. — Wrong no one by doing inj uries, or omitting the benefits 
that are your duty. 

Moderation. — Avoid extremes ; forbear resenting inj uries. 

Tranquillity. — Be not disturbed about trifles, or accidents common 
or unavoidable. 

Humility. — Imitate Jesus Christ. 

Cleanliness. Frugality. Temperance. 

January 17th, 1781. Battle of Cowpens, Spartanburgh County, S. C. 

Lord Cornwallis sent Lieut. -Col. Tarlton, with 1,100 men, to drive 
out Morgan, who had been sent by Gen. Green to the western extremity 
of South Carolina. Tarlton had two field pieces and a superior force of 
both infantry and cavalry. On the 16th he arrived on the ground that 
Morgan had left a few hours before. At 2 a.m. he resumed his march, 
and by daylight he saw the detachments of Morgan in front. Morgan 



LIBERTY PRIMER 15 

waited for him ia a wood free froiu undergrowth. Tarlton led the 
attack himself The American militia received the attack with firmness, 
but were compelled to fall back in the rear of their second line, and this 
line in their turn, after an obstinate conflict, was compelled to retreat to 
the cavalry. At this juncture Lieut. -Col. Washington made a successful 
charge on Capt. Ogilvie, who, with forty dragoons, was cutting down the 
retreating militia. Lieut. -Col. Howard, almost at the same moment, 
rallied the Continental troops and charged with fixed bayonets, the 
militia following his example. These unexpected charges threw the 
British into confusion, and they were driven from the ground, giving the 
Americans a complete victory. Tarlton fled, leaving his baggage and 
artillery in the hands of the victors, and losing 300 killed and wounded 
and 500 prisoners, while the American loss was but 12 killed and wounded. 
"Seldom has a victory, achieved by so small a number, been so 
important in its consequences. It deprived Cornwallis of one-fifth of his 
force, and disconcerted his plans for the reduction of North Carolina." — 
John Howard Hinton. 

January 17th, 1852. The Sand River Convention signed. 

The Cape Colony Boers from 1833 to 1837 commenced an exodus 
which was known as the "Great Trek." In 1836 some thousands had 
crossed the Vaal, and reached the "Trans Vaal " country beyond, 
which at that time was under the sway of Moselkatze, a Zulu refugee. 
Some of the emigrants were massacred, and the Boers under Maritz and 
Potgieter attacked and defeated Moselkatze at Mosega in 1837. The 
Zulu chief the next year withdrew and founded the Matable State, 
between the Vaal and the Zambezi, leaving the region between the Vaal 
and the Limpopo virtually in the hands of the Teckkers. On the east 
the Boers were attacked by Dingaan, and a division of emigrants who 
had crossed the Buffalo under Peter Retief were massacred in 1833. The 
Teckkers were however saved by Andries Pretorious of Graafi" Reinet 
who checked Dingaan towards the close of 1838 and followed by a 
crushing defeat in 1840. The British occupation of the Territory in 
1843, induced the Boers to retire in two bands across the Drakenberg, 
the southern division settling in the present Orange Free State, and the 
northern passing into the Transvaal. Pretorious and Potgieter could not 
agree in the establishment of a government, and the Transvaal was a 
failure until Pretorious induced the British Government to sign the 
Convention at Sand River, which virtually secured the independence of 
that region. Pretorious and Potgieter both died in 1853, and Marthinus 
Wersels Pretorious eldest son of Pretorious was made the first President 
of the Dutch African Republic whose title was in 1858 altered to South 
African Republic. 

January 18th, 1736. Rev. Phillips Payson, D.D., born at Walpole, Mass. 

He commanded a party of militia and attacked the British who were 
removing and faking away stores and provisions at Monotomy, recaptured 



16 LIBERTY PRIMER 

the stores and dLsarmed the troops without loss. This action was on 
April 19th, 1775, and was in fact a part of the battle of Lexington. 

" During the struggle for liberty Dr. Pay.son boldly advocated the 
cause of his country. As a classical scholar, he rose to distinction, and 
many young men received the rudiments of their education from him. 
As a minister, he was a friend and father to his people, and he preached 
with energy of diction, and pathos of delivery. ' ' 

January 20th, 1726. Col. William Prescott born at Groton, Mass. 

He served with such honor and distinction in the French and Indian 
"Wars that he was tendered a commission in the British army, which he 
declined, but in 1774, when it became apparent that hostilities would 
take place, he was put in command of a regiment of minute men. In 
June, 1775, he went to Charlestown and fortified Bunker Hill, but during 
the night he changed his position to Breed's Hill, which he also fortified, 
having under him a brigade of perhaps a thousand strong. Warren and 
Putnam both reported for service ; both of these men outranked Prescott. 
Warren refused to take command, and upon Prescott appears to have 
rested the responsibility. On June 17th General Gage, with 2,000 
regulars, attacked the position. The Americans waited until the British 
were close upon the breastworks before delivering their fire ; when they 
did, the British recoiled in confusion, a second attempt had a like result, 
and a third was made. By this time the ammunition of the Americans 
was gone, they had but one volley, and when this was gone, the regulars 
swarmed over the breastworks to meet a hand to hand encounter, and 
the Americans fled down the hill and across the Neck to Cambridge, the 
English ships raking them with grape-shot as they ran. Prescott was 
the very last to leave the hill, and he wished to undertake its recapture, 
saying Ihat he could do so if reinforced. This action proved that the 
Colonists were able to cope with the best that England could send against 
them. Though defeated the Americans were victorious. 

Prescott remained with the army for about two years when he 
resigned, but he joined as a volunteer and was present at Saratoga in 
1777, after which he returned home. He served in the Massachusetts 
Legislature for several years. He died at Pepperell, Mass., October 
13th, 1795. 

January 20th, 1732. Birth of Richard Henry Lee, in Westmoreland 
County, Va. 
He is said to have originated, in 1773, the plan for an inter-colonial 
or Continental Congress, which was carried into effect the next year. On 
June 7th, 1776, upon the instructions of the House of Burgesses of 
Virginia, he introduced into Congress the resolutions declaring "that 
the united Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent 
States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, 
and that all political connection between them and the State of Great 
Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved." 



LIBERTY PRIMER 17 

{Note. — This resolution originated in the Virginia Convention that 
met at Williamsburgh, and was reported to that body by Archibald Gary 
May 15th, 1776.) 

He died at Chantilly, Westmoreland County, Va., June 19th, 1794. 

" He died as he lived, a blessing to his country." 



January 20th, 1734. Birth of Robert Morris, at Manchester or at Liverpool, 
England. (Both places are given. ) 

He came to America with his father at the age of 13, and at the 
age of 15 began a regular apprenticeship in the counting-room of Charles 
Willing, of Philadelphia. 

Appointed to the Second Congress by Pennsylvania, 1775, reelected 
in 1776, 1777 and 1778. 

Appointed by Congress "Superintendent of Finances" in 1781. 
Kesigned September 30th, 1784. 

Member of the Constitutional Convention of 1787. 

Died at Philadelphia, May 8th, 1806. 

' ' No man had more numerous concerns committed to his charge, and 
few to a greater amount ; and never did any one more faithfully dis- 
charge the various complicatad trusts with greater dispatch." — Biographia 
Americana. 

January 26th, 1837. Michigan admitted to the Union. 

The thirteenth State admitted. The " Wolverine State. " The Lake 
State. Originally part of the Northwest Territory, then of Indiana 
Territory, from which Michigan Territory was constituted in 1805. 



January 29th, 1761. Albert Gallatin born at Geneva, Switzerland. 

He was left an orphan when nine years old, he had a thorough 
education, graduating in 1779. He emigrated to the United States in 
1780, and commenced business in New England, but his concern failed, 
and he entered Harvard as a teacher of the French language. After this 
he went to Virginia and then to Pennsylvania. In 1793, he was elected 
to the United States Senate but the election was annulled on account of 
his defective citizenship. He took an active part in the Whiskey 
Eebellion. In 1795, he was elected to Congress and held his seat for five 
years until 1801 when he became Secretary of the Treasury under 
Jefferson. This office he held for twelve years. In 1812, he became 
Commissioner to Europe, and in 1816 was made Minister to France, 
remaining in office iintil he was transferred to the Court of St. James in 
1826. He returned to the United States iu 1828. He died at New 
York, August 12th, 1848. 

He said "a man who has had the direction of the finances of his 
country as long as I have should not die rich." 



18 LIBERTY PRIMER 

January 29th. 1861. Kansas admitted to the Union. 

The twenty-first State admitted. The Garden of the West. The 
Garden State. Named from the Kansas river, (Indian " Smoky water.") 

Part of the Louisiana purchase, except the southwestern portion, 
which was ceded by Texas in 1850. It formed a part of Missouri Terri- 
tory until 1821, after which it remained unorganized until 1854, when 
the Kansas-Nebraska Bill created the Territory of Kansas, including 
what is now a part of Colorado. 

January 31st. 1713. Anthony Benezet born at St. Quentins, France. 

His family were Huguenots, became Quakers and settled in Phila- 
delphia. He became a teacher, and continued in a similar occupation 
all his life. During the last two years of his life, his zeal to do good 
induced him to resign the school which he had long superintended, and 
to engage in the education of colored people. So great was his sympathy 
with every being capable of feeling pain, that he resolved toward the 
close of his life to eat no animal food. He employed his pen both night 
and day in writing religious and philanthropic works. His publications 
contributed largely towards the prohibition of the African Slave Trade. 
At Ms funeral many hundred negroes followed him to the grave in tears. 

He said "The highest act of charity in the world is to bear with the 
unreasonableness of mankind. " " Few men, " says Benjamin Rush, "since 
the days of the apostles, lived a more disinterested life. And yet upon 
his death bed, he said he wished to live a little longer, that 'he might 
bring down self. ' ' ' 

February 3d, 1811. Horace Greeley born at Amherst, N. H. 

A]3prenticed at the age of fourteen to the publishers of Northern 
Spectator, Poultney, Vt. The paper failed in 1830. 

After working at Erie for a while, he went to New York in 1831, 
with all his belongings tied up in a handkerchief. Here he worked in a 
newspaper ofl&ce. With Jonas Winchester he started a printing ofi&ce in 
1833, and in 1834 began the New Yorker, which it was said was a " liter- 
ary success but a financial failure." During 1838-39 he was at Albany, 
where he edited a campaign paper for William H. Seward and Thurlow 
Weed, called The Jeffersonian, and also on his own account The Log Cabin, 
which was successful. The New York Tribune began April 10th, 1841, 
with H. J. Eaymond as chief assistant until 1843. In 1848 Mr. Greeley 
was elected to Congress ; 1867, Delegate at Large to State Constitutional 
Convention. He signed the bond as one of Jefferson Davis's bail. In 
1872 he was nominated for the presidency, receiving 2,834,079 votes 
against 3,597,070 for U. S. Grant. 

He died at Pleasantville, Westchester County, N. Y., November 
29th, 1872. 

" The very imperfections of Greeley's early studies had a compensa- 
tion in the fact that they left him in all the tendencies and habits of his 
mind an American. No foreign mixture of thought or tradition went into 



LIBERTY PRIMER 19 

the composition of his strong intelligence. Of all great men who have 
beccme renowned on this side of the Atlantic, he was the most purely 
and entirely the product of the country and its institutions. Accordingly, 
a sturdy reliance on his own conclusions and a readiness to defy the world 
in their behalf, were among his most strongly marked characteristics." — 
C. A. Dana. 

February 5th, 163 f. Roger Williams arrived at Boston. 

He was born of either Welsh or Cornish parents, about the year 1599, 
but there appears to be no record either of his birth or of his death. He 
was said to have been 84 years old when he died. He was educated at 
an English University, and after arriving at Boston was made pastor of a 
church at Salem. On account of his views he was banished from Massa- 
chus3tts. With five companions he fied, and on March 24th, 1635, he 
landed at a place which, in token to his gratitude to God, he called 
Providence. Subsequently he got from the Indians a deed of the sur- 
rounding land, which from an apparent resemblance to Rhodes, he named 
Ehode Island. 

'' Roger Williams was the teacher of Liberty of Conscience, a prin- 
ciple which has found a place in the constitutions of most civilized 
nations and all republics. " 

February 6th, 1778. The Treaty with France. 

A treaty of alliance, amity and commerce, was signed at Paris by 
the French ministry, and by the American Commissioners, Dr. Franklin, 
Mr Deane and Mr. Lee. The news of this event gave great joy in 
America. By this treaty France acknowledged the independence of the 
United States. 

At the celebration of the first anniversary of this event by Congress 
at Philadelphia, the following toasts were drank : 

1. May the alliance between France and the United States be per- 

petual. 

2. The United States. 

3. His Most Christian Majesty. 

4. The Queen of France. 

5. His Most Catholic Majesty. 

6. The Princes of the House of Bourbon. 

7. Success to our allied armies. 

8. General Washington and the Army. 

9. The friends of Liberty in every part of the World . 

10. May the new constellation rise to the zenith. 

11. May the American Stripes bring Great Britain to reason. 

12. The memory of patriots who have nobly fallen in defence of 

Liberty and Independence in America. 

13. A sale and honorable peace. 

This was the first treaty made by the United States with any foreign 
power. 



20 LIBERTY PRIMER 

February 8th, 1788. Massachusgtts, the sixth State to ratify the Constitution. 

The Old Colony. The Bay State. The Old Bay State. One of the 
original thirteen State.s. 

The Pilgrim Fathers landed from the INIayflower at Plymouth, 
December 21st, 1620. The Massachusetts Colony was planted at Salem and 
Charlestown in 1628, and at Boston in 1630. A new charter, uniting 
Plymouth and Massachusetts, was granted in 1692. Massachusetts led 
in active opposition to the Stamp Act. The Boston Massacre occurred 
March 8th, 1770. The Boston "Tea Party," December 16th, 1773. 
The Revolution began at Lexington, April 19th, 1775, and on June 17th 
the Americans, under Prescott and Putnam, though technically beaten, 
gained a decided advantage over the British. 

February 11th, 1735. Daniel Boone born in Buc/cs County, Penn. 

About 1748 the family removed to Holman's Ford, on the Yadkin, 
S. C. He was a natural hunter, fully equal to the Indian in tracing a scent. 
With a party of six he set out to explore what is now known as Ken- 
tucky, on May 1st, 1769. He was captured by the Indians ; twice he 
escaped. In March, 1771, he returned home. In 1773, with five other 
families and his own, he started for Kentucky. He was joined by about 
forty men, but the party was attacked by Indians and forced to return to 
Clinch River. Lord Dunsmore appointed him to the command of a garri- 
son to resist hostile Indians. He erected a fort at Boonesborough, where he 
settled with his family, which was then ' ' Salt Spring. ' ' Here he sustained 
several sieges, and was once taken prisoner while hunting with his men. 
In 1777 he made an expedition to the Blue Licks, and being captured 
^as taken to Detroit. His men were given to the British commander, 
but he was retained and adopted by Blackfish, the Shawnee chief. 
Learning that the Indians were planning to attack Boonesborough, he 
determined to warn his comrades. Chased by 450 Indians, he arrived 
after a four days' journey of 160 miles, having had but one meal. He 
then repulsed the Indian attack. 

He was tried by court martial for surrendering, but acquitted and 
promoted to be Major. 1778 he became Lieutenant Colonel in charge of 
Lincoln County, one of three divisions of Kentucky. August 19th, 1782, 
he fought a battle with the Indians at Blue Licks, where one of his sous 
was killed. In 1790 he moved to Point Pleasant on the Kanawha, in 
West Virginia. Here he had a large sum of money stolen from him. 

Kentucky was admitted to the Union February 4th, 1791, and sur- 
veyed. His title to lands was contested, and the case went against him. 

In 1795 he moved to the Femme Osage District of Missouri, then in 
the possession of the Spanish. He was here made commandant, and 
obtained a grant of 8,000 acres of land. 

He died at Charette, Mo., September 26th, 1820. 

"He exjjired while on his knees taking aim at some object, and he 
was found in that position, with his gun resting on the trunk of a tree. 



LIBERTY PKIMER 21 

The charm of ji hunter's life hung around him, and in his eighty-second 
year he went on an expedition in search of the Kansas River. 

February 12th, 1809. Abraham Lincoln born in Hardin County, Kentucky 

Elected the sixteenth President of the United States, November 6th, 
1860. Reelected November 8th, 1864. Shot at Ford's Theatre, Wash- 
ington, and died April 14th, 1865. 

"With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in 
the right as God gives us to see the right, let us finish the work we are 
in, and bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne 
the battle, and for his widow and his orphans, to do all which may 
achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all 
nations. ' ' — Inaugural Address. 

February 13th, 1890. The Oklahoma Bill passed by the United States Senate. 
■' No-Man's-Land " included in the Territory. The bill passed the 
House of R3presentatives March 13th, 1890. The Territory was opened 
for settlement April 22d, 1889. 

February 14th, 1859. Oregon the twentieth State admitted to the Union. 

The early Spanish explorers found the wild thyme, and on account 
of the herb named the country "Oregon." The Greek navigator, De- 
Fuca, discovered the coast in 1592, and the Spanish Admiral Fonte in 
1640. Spain for a long time claimed it, but ceded the right to England 
in 1790. In 1792 Captain Robert Gray, of Boston, (who was the first to 
carry the American flag around the world, ) explored the great river, which 
he named after his vessel, "The Columbia." This gave to the United 
States color to an original claim to the valley of that river. France held 
a shadowy title to all the continent west of the Mississippi, north of the 
Spanish possessions, under the name of Louisiana. This the United 
States acquired, by the purchase of Louisiana in 1803. Captain Gray's 
report was made the basis of an exploring expedition in 1806, under Cap- 
tains Clark and Lewis. In 1811 the American Pacific Fur Company, of 
which John Jacob Astor was a director, established a trading jDOSt at the 
mouth of the Columbia, which was called Astoria. During the War of 
1812, the Northwest Fur Company (afterwards Hudson's Bay Company) 
purchased the property. Their employees planted a garden at Astoria, 
and renamed it Fort George. In 1810 Captain Winship, a New Eng- 
lander, built the first house on the Columbia river. The Revs. Marcus 
Whitman and Henry N. Spalding led a missionary party to Oregon, 
arriving at Walla Walla September 2d, 183G. Whitman realized the 
value of the country and saw the evident design of the Hudson Bay Com- 
pany to obtain it for English occupation. Fearing it might be lost he 
started for Washington across the plains, " to save Oregon to the United 
States," leaving Walla Walla in October, 1842, and in the depth of one 
of the most evere winters riding the long journey. He reached Fort 



22 LIBERTY PRIMER 

Bent, on the Arkansas river, January 7th, 1843, and then went on to St. 
Louis and to Washington, wliere he found the government on the verge 
of transferring the district to Gre.at Britain as a useless vs'aste. He pro- 
cured a stay and in September he led a party of two hundred wagons and 
over one thousand souls as permanent settlers. A provisional govern- 
ment was organized in 1843, and a Territorial Constitution adopted in 
1845. A treaty with Great Britain fixed the boundary in 1846. 

Congress organized the Territory of Oregon on August 14th, 1848, 
and on March 3d, 1849, Joseph Lane, the firet Territorial Governor, was 
inaugurated. 

February 15th, 1564. Galileo Galilei born. 

One of the earliest and greatest of the experimental philosophers, was 
born at Pisa, Italy. He was imprisoned by the Inquisition because he 
asserted that the world moved around the sun. He died at Florence, 
January 8th, 1642. 

February 17th, 1815. The Treaty of Ghent, closing the War of 1812-14. 

The Treaty was signed at Ghent on Saturday, December 24th, 1814, 
and ratified by the Prince Eegent of England Thursday, December 27th, 
1814. Eatifications were exchanged at Washington on February 17th, 
and the Treaty proclaimed on February 18th, 1815. 

" It is important to the United States to make peace, but it is more 
important to them to preserve their rights as an independent nation, which 
will in no event be surrendered." — From Instructions to the Commissioners- 
February 22d. 1732. George Washington, Father of His Country, born in 
Westmoreland County, Virginia. 

He died after a few hours' illness, December 14th, 1799. 

In the family Bible of the Washingtons, in his mother's handwrit- 
ing, is the following : " George Washington, son of Augustus and Mary, 
his wife, was born ye 11th day of February, 1732, about 10 in the morn- 
ing, and was baptized the 3d April following, Mr. Beverly Whiting and 
Christopher Brooks, Godfiithers, and Mrs. Mildred Gregory, Godmother. ' ' 
(At that time the year began on the 25th of March. In 1750, by an act 
of Parliament, it was changed to January 1st. The day following the 
2d of September, 1752, was reckoned the 14th, omitting 11 days. The 
11th of February, 1732, O. S., therefore is equivalent to February 22d, 
1732.) 

" The entire progress of the civilized world for more than a century 
has been shaped by the influence of his life and precepts." 

February 22 d. 1821. Florida ceded to the United States by Spain. 

Ponce de Leon, in search of the "Fountain of Youth," landed in 
Florida on March 27th, 1513. 



LIBERTY PRIMEK 23 

President Madisou, under aathority of the Louisiana purchase, by 
proclamation took possession ofWest Florida in the name of the United 
States October 27th, 1810. On Jamiary 3d, 1811, Congress authorized 
the occupation of East Florida. After a long correspondence, a treaty 
respecting Florida was made, which is known as the Treaty of 1819. By 
this Treaty the United States agreed to satisfy claims of citizens to the 
extent of §5,000,000. On February 13th the President communicated 
the ratification to the Senate, and the final exchange of ratification took 
place at Washington February 22d, 1821. 

February 23d, 1854. The Orange Free State, South Africa. 

The Orange River Sovereignty in South Africa adjoined the British 
Cape Colony and comprised about 70,000 square miles, divided into four 
districts. The executive government was in the hands of a British Resi- 
dent, who presided over a legislative council, composed of resident mag- 
istrates and sundry representatives. On February 23d, 1854, Sir George 
Clark, on behalf of the British government, made over the sovereignty to 
a convention composed of delegates. A republican form of government 
was adopted, the Volkhssana was created, and J. T. Hoffman made the 
first President of the Orange Free State. 

February 24th, 1863. The Territory of Arizona organized. 

It was originally part of the Mexican cession and the Gadsden pur- 
chase. It was separated from New Mexico in 1863. 

February 24th, 1821. Mexican Independence. 

The long smouldering discontent broke out in open revolt on Sep- 
tember 16th, 1810, at Guarrajuato, under the leadership of Don Miguel 
Hidalgo, who was a priest. He had, it is said, at one time a force of 
100,000 men, principally natives. On January 17th, 1811, he was 
attacked and defeated by the Spanish and, on July 30th following, 
executed at Chihuahua. Morelos, also a priest, continued the struggle. 
He raised a force against the Spanish in January, 1812, and in October, 
1813, assembled a National Assembly at Chilpanzinco, wheie a declara- 
tion of independence was signed ; but Morelos was defeated before Val- 
ladolid by Itvirbide, December 24th, 1813, and in 1815 shared the same 
fate as Hidalgo. A guerilla war followed until 1820, when Iturbide, 
now "Liberator," led the people, and under whom independence was 
again declared and signed. The same year the capitol was surrendered 
by O'Donoju, the last of the Viceroys. On May 19th, 1822, Iturbide 
became Emperor, and independence was universally acknowledged. 

February 24th, 1891. The Brazilian Constitution. 

The Brazilian Assembly adopt a Coustitutiou. Dom Pedro was 
deposed and the Republic proclaimed November 15th, 1889, the Empire 
being converted into a Confederation composed of twenty States. A con- 



24 LIBERTY PRIMER 

stitutioQ, subject to ratification, was adopted June 22d, 1890, and a 
Congress elected under it on September 15th. This constitution was, 
with some changes, ratified February 24th, 1891, and Marechal Deodoro 
da Fonseca elected President, and General Floriano Peixoto Vice-Presi- 
dent, who were inaugurated ou the following day. 

February 25th, 1746. Charles Cotesworth Pinckney born at Charleston, S. C. 

Graduated at Oxiord in England, then studied law, after which he 
remained for a short time at the military school at Caen, in France. 
Returning to America he began the practice of law at Charleston and 
became prominent in politics. He was a member of the first Provincial 
Congress of South Carolina, and in 1775 became the colonel of a provin- 
cial regiment. He was at the capture of Fort Johnson, and the repulse 
of tbe British Squadron off" Fort Moultrie. He was then aid-de-camp to 
Washington, and in this capacity was at Brandy wine and German town. 
On the approach of Clinton to Charleston, he took command of Fort 
Moultrie, which he defended with skill and great bravery. When 
Charleston was reduced he was taken prisoner and detained the remainder 
of the war. On returning home he resumed practice. He was a mem- 
ber of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and afterwards of the 
South Carolina Convention of 1790. 

In 1796 he was sent as Minister to France, where he was received 
with such discourtesy that he left the country, returning however with 
Elbridge Gerry and John Marshall as joint commissioners. Talleyrand 
assured the commissioners that a gift of money would be necessary, and 
that in case of its refusal it would bring ou war. Pinckney is reported 
to have replied, ' ' War be it, then, millions for defence, sir, but not one 
cent for tribute. ' ' This saying aroused the whole country from Maine 
to Georgia, and on his return there appeared to be grave fears of a war 
with France. He was made a Major-General in 1800. He was with 
John Adams Federalist candidate for the presidency of the United States. 
He died at Charleston, S. C, August 16th, 1825. 

February 25th, 1778. General Jose de San Martin born at Yapeyu, on the 
Uruguay River. 

He entered the Spanish military service. He returned home with 
the rank of Captain, and from the Revolutionary government of Buenos 
Ayres was placed in command of a division with the rank of Colonel. 
He had success at San Lorenzo in 1813. 

He planned with the brothers O'Higgins the liberation of Chili, and 
gained a victory at Chacabuco February 12th, 1817, vsdth a final decisive 
triumph at Maypn, April 5th, 1818. 

Plans were then matured for liberating Peru. The army sailed from 
Valparaiso August 20th, 1820, sui)]3orted by a squadron under Lord Coch- 
rane. San Martin was declared "Protector of Peru," August 3d, 1821, 
He died at Boulogne in France, August 17th, 1850. 



LIBKETY PRIMKK 25 

The motto of Wan Martin was " Seras lo que debesser. " "Thou 
must be what thou oughtest to be. ' ' 

He was the real father of South American Republicanism ; he was a 
true man, a Washiugtou. 

February 26th, 1802. Victor Hugo born at Bascanon, France. 

He is generally known as a great writer, but perhaps he was one of 
the most ardent republicans that France has ever produced. He was the 
" idol of the Paris and French people and retained his health until within 
a few days of his death, which occurred May 22d, 1885, at Paris." "No 
French writer succeeded so well in so many lines of art, and no French- 
man ever attained such unbounded popularity during life, or was followed 
to the grave by such a concourse of mourners." 

February 27th, 1844. The Dominican Republic. 

The most remarkable events and notable heroes of the Dominican 
liepublic : 

" February 27th, 1844, National Independence, God, Country, 
Liberty. 

"Juan Pablo Duaxte, tounder of Dominican Nationality, born Janu- 
ary 26th, 1813 ; died July 15th, 1876. 

" Francisco del R. Sanchez, hero of the Independence of February 
27th, 1844 ; bom in 1816 ; shot on 4th of July, 1861, while defending 
the integrity of the country, which had been sold to the Spanish govern- 
ment on the 18th of March, 1861. 

" Juan Yridro Perez, propagator of the idea of indeiiendeuce ; fjoru 
in 1818 ; died insane, 1868. 

'' Ronion Mella, hero of the 27th of February, 1844 ; boin in 1816, 
25th of February ; died in 1864. 

"Pedro Pina, a worthy collaborator of Duarte, born in \A2\ ; died in 
1870. 

"August 16th, 1863, Independence and restoration of Dominican 
nationality against the Spaniards." — From the Supreme Conner! of Sods of 
the Dominican Republic^ bij Eugenie de JIarchena, Gr. Sec'i; Gen. 

February, 1790. The United States Supreme Court sat for the first time. 

The following are the Chief Justices : 

John Jay, of New York, appointed by Washington, September 26th, 
1789. 

Oliver Ellsworth, of Connecticut, appointed l)y Washington, March 
4th, 1796. 

John Marshall, of Virginia, appointed by John Adams, January 
31st, 1801. 

Eoger B. Taney, of ^Maryland, aiipointed by Jackson, March 15th, 
1836. 



26 LIBERTY PRIMER 

Salmon P. Chase, of Ohio, appointed by Lincoln, December 6th, 1864, 
Morrison B. Waite, of Ohio, appointed by Grant, Jane 21st, 1874. 
Mellville W. Fuller, of Illinois, appointed by Cleveland, 1888. 



March 1st, 1845. The State of Texas. 

Lone Star State. Settled by the French, who were driven out by 
the Spanish in 1690. 

The Louisiana purchase was made May 2d, 1803, after which large 
numbers of citizens from the United States emigrated to Texas. 

Mexico declared its independence February 24th, 1821, when Texas 
and Coahuila were created as a State. 

In 1827-1829 overtures were made by the United States to purchase 
Texas, and various offers were made, ranging from $1,000,000 to 
$5,000,000. 

In 1830 Mexico established a military government in Texas, which 
was followed in 1833 by a declaration of Independence by the Texans, 
and war, which was finally terminated in the defeat of Santa Anna at 
San Jacinto, April 21st, 1836. 

In April, 1844, John C. Calhoun, Secretary of State, concluded a 
treaty of annexation, including all the territory between the Nueces and 
the Rio Grande. This treaty was rejected by the Senate June 8th, 1844. 

On the 1st of March, 1845, after the election of President Polk, the 
President was authorized by Congress to negotiate a treaty of annexation, 
and a special messenger was dispatched to Texas. On June 18th the 
Texan Congress voted for annexation, and the people ratified it by a pop- 
ular vote on July 4th, 1845. 

A resolution to admit Texas to the American Union passed the House 
of Representatives by a vote of 141 to 56, December 16th. This was con- 
curred in by the Senate, by a vote of 31 to 13, December 22d, and on 
December 29th, 1845, Texas was declared to be one of the United States. 



March 1st, 1867. Nebraska admitted to the Union. 

The name is Indian and signifies "Shallow Water." Nebraska is 
the twenty-fourth State. Originally a part of the Louisiana purchase. 
It was first traversed by the expedition under Lewis and Clark in 1805, 
and it was partially explored by Fremont in 1842, but it had no perma- 
nent settlers until the Pacifiv. Railroad was built. In the winter of 1854 
Stephen A. Douglas, amid much political excitement, succeeded in having 
Congress pass what is known as the Kansas-Nebraska Bill, by the pro- 
visions of which Nebraska became organized as a Territory. It included 
the northeast portion of Colorado, a part of Dakota, Montana and Wyo- 
ming. Its present limits were defined by Act of Congress, April 19, 
1864. By proclamation of the President, Nebraska was declared a 
member of the Union on March 1st, 1867. 



LIBERTY PKIMEK 27 

March 2d, 1793. General Sam Houston born near Lexington, Va. 

In early life he wandered to Tennessee and lived among the Cherokee 
Indians. He was a soldier of the War of 1812, an Indian Agent, lawyer, 
district attorney, and Major-General of the militia. 

In 1823 he was elected to Congress, and reelected in 1825. 

In 1827 he was chosen Governor of Tennessee by a majority of 
12,000. 

In 1833 he moved to Texas and in 1835 was Commander-in-Chief of 
the Texan army. 

On April 21st. 1836, he secured the independence of Texas by a 
decisive victory at San Jacinto, defeating and making Santa Anna a 
prisoner. 

On October 22d, 1836, he was inaugurated President of Texas, and 
on December 13th, 1841, he entered upon his second term. 

Texas became a member of the American Union on December 29th, 
1845, when he was made United States Senator, and reelected in 1852. 

Elected Governor of Texas in 1859, holding the office until the ordi- 
nance of secession was adopted, when he resigned. 

He died at Huntersville, Texas, July 25th, 1863. 

" He resisted secession from its inception, and it is an interesting 
incident in his life, and in the history of his country, that of his riding 
close beside the carriage in which sat Lincoln and Buchanan on the day 
of the inauguration of the former, guarding the President-elect from the 
possibility of assassination — which was even then threatened, as it was 
afterwards consummated. The picture of this stalwart old man, nearly 
three score and ten, armed and watchful, guarding the person of Abraham 
Lincoln, is one that deserves to be perpetuated in American history." 

" The hero of San Jacinto was above all things, an able soldier, 
wary, intrepid, and resolute ; but he possessed as a legislator the quali- 
ties of rare foresight, cool determination, and fearless candor. ' ' 

March 2d, 1867. Department of Education Established. 

Educators, political economists and statesmen felt the need of some 
central agency by which the general educational statistics of the country 
could be collected, preserved, condensed, and properly arranged for dis- 
tribution. This need found expression finally in the action taken by the 
National Educational Association in convention at Washington in Feb- 
ruarj', 1866. From this convention a memorial was presented to Congress 
asking for the creation of a Bureau of Education. The memorial was 
presented to the House of Representatives by General Garfield February 
14th, 1866, with a bill for the establishment of a national bureau. The 
bill was amended providing for a Department of Education in place of 
Bureau, and thus altered it passed. The Senate passed it without altera- 
tion March 1st, 1867, and the President signed it on the following day. 
On July 28th, 1868, an act was passed which took effect June 30th, 1869, 
which abolished the Department of Education and established the office 
of Commissioner of Education in the Department of the Interior. 



28 LIBERTY PEIMEE 

March 3d, 1845. Florida admitted to t/ie Union. The Peninsular State. 

East and West Florida were joined in the Territory of Florida in 
1822, having been acquired by purchase from Spain by the Treaty of 
1819. A long and expensive war was necessary with the Seminole 
Indians in order to secure Florida, which lasted until 1842. 

March 3d, 1862. Serfdom in Russia abolished. 

The rural population of Russia consisted : 1, Serfs ; 2, Free agricul- 
tural laborers ; 3, Feasants, who are small farmers or cottiers, and mem- 
bers of the commune. The causes of slavery or serfdom were : 1, Cap- 
ture'in war ; 2, The sale of poor freemen by themselves ; 3, The sale of 
insolvent delators, and of certain criminals. 

After the Crimean War the Tzar Alexander II. created a secret com- 
mittee to study the subject of the emancipation of the serfs. The Lithu- 
anian nobles at this time expressed a desire that the relations between 
the serfs and their masters should be revised. A circular was prepared 
and transmitted to all the governors and marshals throughout the empire 
where there were serfs, informing them of the expressed wish of the 
Lithuanians. In 1858 a committee was created in nearly every province, 
and from the schemes prepared by these committees a general plan was 
developed, to carry out which the government appointed a Special Impe- 
rial Commission. There was opposition on the part of some of the 
nobility, but the plans were matured and became law, and by it serfdom 
in Russia was abolished, (February 19th-March 2d. 1861,) by which it is 
said 32,000,000 men became free. 



March 4th, 1789. Commencement of the New Government. 

Notwithstanding the opposition made to it, the Federal Constitution 
soon obtained the assent of all the States save two — Rhode Island and 
North Carolina. New York is said to have acceded chiefly from fear of 
being excluded from the Union ; and, in consenting, she had demanded 
a new convention to make amendments in the act. Even Virginia 
thought it necessary to iiropose alterations. She required a declaration 
of rights, and the limitation that the President should be but once re- 
elected. The discussion concerning these points of difference occupied 
the year 1788, after which the Constitution was generally accepted, and 
the grand point of federal union achieved. 

The 4th of March, 1789, was the time appointed for the commence- 
mient of the new government. So wanting, however, were nlany of the 
States, or their representatives, in zeal, that three weeks elapsed before a 
full meeting of both houses could be procured. At length the votes for 
President and Vice-President were opened and counted in the Senate, 
when it was found that George Washington was unanimously elected 
President, and John Adams, having the second number of votes, was 
elected Vice-President. — Frosfs History of United States. 



LIBERTY PRIMER 29 

March 4th, 1791. Vermont admitted to the Union. 

The Green Mountain State. The first State admitted to the Union. 

Originally settled by colonists from Massachusetts, 1732. The terri- 
tory was claimed both by New Hampshire and by New York. In 1777, 
a convention was held which declared it independent of both. The 
claims of New York were settled by the payment of $30, 000 in 1790. By 
an act of Congress, to take effect March 4th, 1791, Vermont was admitted 
to the American Union as a State. 

March 13th, 1775. First Bloodshed of the Revolution, East Westminster, Vt. 
In 1774-75 the Whigs and Tories were about equally divided, the 
judges and the juries being appointed by the king. The British authori- 
ties attempted to hold court in the court-house, then standing about forty 
rods north of the cemetery. The colonists were bound that no court 
should be held, so they armed themselves and drove the court from the 
court-house. In return the British troops attacked the colonists and a 
man named William French fell dead from the fire of the soldiers, and 
Daniel Houghton was mortally wounded. In 1872 the State of Vermont 
appropriated $600 for a monument, which stands about six feet from the 
place where French was buried. A small slab stands to mark the exact 
spot, and on it is the following inscription : 

In memory of William French 

Son of Nathaniel French 

Who was shot at Westminster 

March ye 13th 1775, 

by the hands of Cruel Ministerial tools of George ye 

3rd 

In the Courthouse at 11 a clock at Night 

In the 22nd year of his age 

Here William French his body lies. 

For murder his blood for Vengeance cries. 

— From an old newspaper scrap. 

March 15th, 1820. Maine admitted to the Union as the tenth State. 

The Pine Tree State. The Lumber State. 

In 1623 Sir Ferdinand Gorges, John Mason and some others, having 
obtained a patent from the Plymouth Company, sent a few persons from 
England to begin a settlement. In 1630 thirty-five persons in the town 
of Exeter established a civil government. In 1652 Massachusetts pur- 
chased from the heirs of Gorges all their claims for $5,334, and it was 
annexed to Massachusetts under a charter from William and Mary, in 
1691. 

In 1819 the Legislature submitted to the people the question of sepa- 
ration, which was decided by a large majority. The act of Congress of 
March 3d, to take effect March loth, 1820, admitted Maine as a member 
of the American L'nion. 



30 LIBERTY PRIMER 

March 21st. 1806. Benito Pablo Juarez born at Ixtlan, Oajaca, Mexico. 

He was of full Indian blood. He had a good education, studied law 
and began practice in 1834. In 1832 he was a member of the State Leg- 
islature. In 1846 was one of the Triumvirate of his native State and 
Deputy in the Republican Congress. In 1847 to 1 852 was the Governor 
of Oajaca. In 1853 Santa Anna banished him, but in 1855 he returned 
to Mexico, joining the forces of Alvarez, who, after the defeat of Santa 
Anna, made him Minister of Justice. 

Comonfort succeeded Alvarez, and Juarez became President of the 
Supreme Court and Minister of the Interior in December, 1855. 

In February, 1858, Zuloaga replaced Comonfort (it is said unconsti- 
tutionally, ) and by virtue of his office as Chief Justice Juarez claimed 
the Presidency. 

In 1861 he defeated the unconstitutional j)arty, and Congress duly 
elected him (January 19th) President. 

In July, 1861, he issued a decree suspending for two years all pay- 
ments of public debts. This led to the landing of English, Spanish and 
French troops in Mexico. The first two powers withdrew, but France 
declared war in 1862, and on May 28th, 1864, Maximilian landed at Vera 
Cruz and was declared Emperor. Juarez, however, maintained an obsti- 
nate resistance, and Maximilian was obliged to endure a siege at Quere- 
taro, in 1867, until May 15th, when he was captured. Maximilian, with 
two of his generals, was shot June 19th, 1867. 

In August, 1867, Juarez was again elected President, and in 1871 re- 
elected. He died of apoplexy, at the city of Mexico, July 18th, 1872. 

Marcf) 24th, 1636 (?) Rhode Island Founded. 

In 1635 the general court pronounced against him (Roger Williams) 
to sentence him to exile. Winter was at hand, Williams obtained per- 
mission to remain until spring. It was resolved to remove him to 
England, and in a ship just ready to sail. In January, 1636, a warrant 
was accordingly sent to him to come to Boston and embark. For the first 
time he declined the summons of the court. A pinnace was sent for him ; 
the officers repaired to his house ; he was no longer there. Three days 
before he had left Salem, in winter snow and inclement weather. " For 
fourteen weeks he was sorely tost in a bitter season, not knowing what 
bread or bed did mean." He began to build or plant at Seekonk, but, 
says Williams, "Governor Winthrop privately wrote me to steer my 
course to the Narragansett Bay, encouraging me from the freeuess of the 
place from English claims or patents. I took his prudent notion as the 
voice of God." In June the lawgiver of Rhode Island, with five com- 
panions, embarked on the stream ; a frail Indian canoe contained the 
founder of an independent State and its earliest citizens. Tradition has 
marked the spring near which they landed ; it is the parent spot ; the 
first inhabited nook of Rhode Island. To express unbroken confidence 
in the mercies of God, Williams called the place Providence. "I 



LIBEETY PRIMER 31 

desire," he said, "it might be for a slielter for persons distressed for 
conscience." An Indian deed from Canon i ens and Miantonomoli soon 
made him undisputed possessor of an extensive domain (March 24th, 
1638). So long as the inhabitants were few, public affairs were trans- 
acted by a monthly town meeting. This first system had its decisive 
influence on the political history of Ehode Island. Had the territory of 
the State been large, the world would have been filled with wonder and 
admiration at the phenomena of its history, — (Abridged from Bancroft's 
History of United States. ) 

March 24th, 1663. North Carolina Founded. 

In 1630 Sir Eobert Heath, Attorney -Greneial of Charles I., obtained 
a grant of territory stretching southward from Virginia, from the 30th 
degree of north latitude, hj the name of Carolina. He appears to have 
made no settlement and the patent was declared void. Between 1640- 
1650 persons suffering from religious intolerance in Virginia occupied 
that part of Carolina north of Albemarle Sound. Several families 
from Massachusetts settled about Cajje Fear. The Earl of Clarendon 
and a company of English noblemen received a charter from Charles 
II. "The charter empowered tliem to create and publish any laws 
which they should judge necessary with the assent and advice and 
approbation of the freemen of the colony ; to create courts of judica- 
ture, and appoint judges, magistrates, and officers." . . . One of 
the provisions of this charter desei^ves particular attention. The King 
authorized the proprietors to allow the inhabitants of the province such 
indulgence and dispensations in religious affairs as in their discretion 
should be proper and reasonable ; and no person to whom such liberty 
should be granted was to be molested, punished, or called in question, 
for any differences in speculative opinions with respect to religion, pro- 
vided he disturbed not the civil order of the community. The reason 
given for such a dispensing power is "that it might happen that several 
of the inhabitants could not, in their private opinions, conform to the 
exercise of religion according to the litany and ceremonies of the Church 
of England." The proprietors held their first meeting in May, 1663, 
and agreed upon plans. The chief magistrate was called the Palatine, 
and there was a hereditary nobility under the Constitution, which was 
prepared by the celebrated John L^y-c.-. This Constitution was abolished 
in 1693. 

March 27th, 1634. Maryland Founded. 

Lord Baltimore (Cecil Calvert), his two brothers, with twenty other 
gentlemen. Father White and one or two Jesuit missionaries, and between 
two and three hundred laboring men, embarked on the " good ship Ark,"' 
of 300 tons, and a pinnace called "The Dove," of about 50 tons on 
November 22d, 1633. They arrived at Point Comfort, Va., February 
24th, 1634, where they remained a week, after which they sailed up the 
Potomac. At the Indian village of Piscataqua, nearly 0]jposite Mount 



32 LIBERTY PRIMER 

Vernon, they found Henry Fleet, an Englishman, who proved serviceable 
as au interpreter. Going down the river they entered a branch now 
called the St. Marys, and landed at the Indian village of Yoacomoco. At 
this place a treaty was made with the Indians and the lands pnrchased. 
On March 25th a Jesuit priest " said mass," which had never been cele- 
brated in that region before. They placed a cross hewn from a tree, and 
erected it "as a trophy to Christ, the Saviour, while the litany of the 
holy cross was chanted humbly on their knees." On the 17th the emi- 
grants, of whom the larger part were Protestants, took quiet possession 
of the land which the governor had bought. The Indian women tairght 
the wives of the new comers to make bread of maize ; the warriors of the 
tribe instructed the huntsmen how rich were the forests of America in 
game, and joined them in the chase. Nor did the planters cease in the 
endeavor to remove all jealousy out of the minds of the natives, aud at 
last they were able to settle with them a very firm peace and Mendship. 
— Bancroffs History of the United States. 

March 31st, 1854. The Treaty with Japan. 

In the spring of 1849 it came to the knowledge of Commodore Geis- 
inger that some American sailors were imprisoned in Japan, and Com- 
modore Glynn was dispatched to Nagasaki to liberate them. This he did, 
and on returning he laid before the President reasons why he thought it 
to be " a favorable time to enter upon negotiations with Japan." The 
Dutch up to this time had the monopoly of the trade. Mr. Webster, the 
Secretary of State, instructed Commodore Aulick to proceed to Yedo, 
with a letter from President Fillmore, in his flagship, accompanied by as 
many vessels of his squadron as could be conveniently employed in this 
service, and deliver it to such high officers of the Emperor as might be 
appointed for the purjiose of receiving it. The principal object of his 
visit was to arrange for supplies of coal, but he had full "power to nego- 
tiate and sign a Treaty of Amity and Commerce between the United 
States and the Empire of Japan." This was in June, 1851. In Novem- 
ber, 1852, Commodore Perry was sent with an increased naval force. 
" A copy of the general instructions given to Commodore John H. Au- 
lick " was handed him, which he was to consider as in " full force, and 
applicable to his command." He succeeded in concluding a treaty 
March 31st, 1854. 

A convention at Simoda, June 17th, 1857, further extended the 
rights of Americans in Jajjan. In 1860 the Japanese Embassy visited the 
United States. 



